DOH calls for voluntary use of face mask

THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday urged the public to consider using face masks amid a surge in respiratory illnesses among children in China.

“For safety, we encourage the voluntary use of masks, especially for those with comorbidities and autoimmune diseases,” the DOH said in a statement.

China earlier this month reported an increase in respiratory illnesses and clusters of pneumonia in children. This prompted the World Health Organization to ask China for details on its report.

On Tuesday, Health Undersecretary and spokesman Eric Tayag said there is a growing concern over the surge in influenza-like illnesses (ILI) in China because of similarities in circumstances prior to the detection of COVID-19, also in China, in 2019.

The DOH said it is actively monitoring the situation and is collaborating continuously with international health authorities. So far, it said, “there is no need for alarm.”

As of November 11, 182,721 ILI cases have been reported in the country. This is 51 percent higher compared to the 121,160 cases reported during the same period last year.

“We anticipate the cases to continue declining in the coming weeks but are expected to rise again by the start of January,” the DOH said.

The DOH added it has yet to detect any new virus or pathogens causing respiratory illnesses.

“There is no evidence of novel pathogens or atypical clinical presentations,” said the DOH.